Designfax weekly eMagazine

Subscribe Today!

Archives

View Archives

Partners

Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight

Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops

Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants

AC Cobra GT Coupe: 710 hp and super cool

[Credit: All images courtesy of AC Cars]

 

 

AC Cars launched its redesigned open-air AC Cobra GT Roadster last year, and now it has a fixed-top version hitting the streets in 2028. The Cobra GT Coupe is a high-end 710-hp runabout that combines sass and class in a super-cool package. It would be great on the track too. Inspired by the famous AC A98 coupe race car, the new model is a grand tourer in nature. Available in both left- and right-hand drive, it is powered by a sonorous Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V8. However, despite its dramatic personality, the GT Coupe is not a stripped-out track car.

AC Cars bills itself as "Britain's oldest active vehicle manufacturer" specializing in hand-crafted sportscars in small batches. Unifying the historic AC Cobra's iconic aesthetic with a fixed roofline and curvilinear rear, the GT Coupe represents a new era for the company, which is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding (although the company hasn't been operating continuously for that long).

Presenting a more focused and aggressive stance than its GT Roadster stablemate, the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive AC Cobra GT Coupe amps up the drama of this supercar design. Drawing on motorsport-derived details to sharpen its on-road presence, the two-seater is an example of sophisticated ferocity.

Sharing roughly 75% of its engineering with the GT Roadster, the new GT Coupe model benefits from comprehensive enhancements developed during testing and development. The car continues the company's use of a modern V8 powertrain. Available either supercharged or naturally aspirated, the modular engine delivers 710 hp and 820 Nm (605 lb-ft), or 450 hp and 555 Nm (410 lb-ft) respectively. The supercharged GT Coupe is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 sec. Top speed is about 170 mph.

The choice of gearboxes includes a 6-speed manual gearbox for traditionalists or an advanced 10-speed automatic gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. The car has four vehicle modes and three steering modes. It also has stability control and ABS systems. It is equipped with a friction limited slip differential, but an optional Torsen LSD will be available. It has 6-piston calipers and 394-mm steel hybrid brake discs at the front and 4-piston calipers and 378-mm steel hybrid brake discs at the rear. It uses custom 21-in. rims developed specifically for the car and rides on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires. It has a floor-mounted Tilton racing pedal box.

Designed and produced in house, the AC Cobra GT Coupe showcases the expertise of AC Cars' production team. Based on the same unique vehicle architecture as the AC Cobra GT Roadster, the extruded aluminum chassis provides the GT Coupe with an exceptionally light yet strong starting point. With ride and handling tuned to be compliant yet responsive, it suits the nature of this supercar and makes the most of the design's inherent strengths.

The AC Cobra GT Coupe employs the latest carbon fiber production techniques to create the bodywork and unique fixed head design. This includes a "double bubble" roofline, which accentuates the drama of the rear three-quarter view. Lowering the roofline without impacting head room, it smooths airflow and helps lower the drag coefficient, and it amplifies the car's lightweight credentials.

Further enhancing performance, as well as the GT Coupe's overall racing aesthetic, the new car also incorporates a distinctive Kammtail -- a concept employed by leading race teams over the last seven decades. Improving a vehicle's aerodynamic efficiency without resorting to a longtail solution, it was used to great effect in the design of the 1964 AC A98 coupe Le Mans race car.

In line with the GT Roadster, the new GT Coupe is notably larger than the original AC Cobra, with a wheelbase of 8.43 ft, an overall length of 13.86 ft, and a width of 6.49 ft. It features a near-perfect 50:50 weight balance front to rear, with a low center of gravity and a curb weight of approximately 3,527 lb. Although slightly heavier, the coupe's lower drag coefficient means overall performance is expected to be on a par with that of the GT Roadster.

Designed as grand tourer, the new coupe doesn't compromise on cabin space, ensuring that driver and passenger enjoy every mile. Contemporary ergonomics means the cabin accommodates drivers over 6 ft tall, while the car utilizes modern control technologies.

Bespoke details are a hallmark of AC Cars' cabin design, where unique hand-finished leatherwork and upholstery elements combine with subtle heritage-inspired touches. Reflecting AC's legacy and its modern approach to sportscar engineering, analog instrumentation and digital technology exist together to enhance the overall driving experience.

From the Driver Information Center screen mounted behind the steering wheel, past the machined toggle switchgear down to the signature AC pedals, every inch has been considered to present a curated environment. Highly equipped as standard, the new AC Cobra GT Coupe includes electric windows, climate control, and a touchscreen sat-nav/infotainment system, with upgrade options available.

Extremely limited in production, with each example built specifically for its client, the new AC Cobra GT Coupe will start at $320,500 for the naturally aspirated model, while the supercharged model starts from $345,000. The first examples will be delivered in 2028, after initial GT Roadster deliveries are completed.

Learn more, get updates, and reserve your AC Cobra GT Coupe at https://ac.cars/.

Source: AC Cars

Published June 2026

Rate this article